Haaland eyes another record-breaking season with a brace as Isak steals

Manchester United's contentious 1-0 victory against Wolves on Monday night concluded the opening weekend of the 2023-24 Premier League season.

And if the action is as frantic and varied over the course of the next nine months as it has been since Friday, then we're all in for a treat.

From Newcastle's stunning 5-1 win against Aston Villa to the rip-roaring first 45 between Brentford and Tottenham, matchday one pretty much had it all.

Throw in more than a few outrageous penalty decisions and even a 76-year-old Roy Hodgson squaring up to a man 50 years his junior and you've got a recipe for all out entertainment.

Unfortunately the former England manager does not meet the criteria to be considered in our Power Rankings. Still, there were tonnes of standout performances to enjoy and Mail Sport will be taking you through the ones we think deserved the most credit.

10. James Maddison

As with every season, the 2023-24 campaign began with a load of faces, new and old, popping up in different locations.

One of the stars that shone the brightest on debut was James Maddison. Sometimes derided as just a flashy garnish without much substance, the 26-year-old not only showed that Spurs' £45million capture was incredibly astute, but that he'll be one of the most important players for the club following the departure of Harry Kane.

The England international recorded two assists in a 2-2 draw against Brentford on Sunday, one admittedly more deliberate than the other.

9. Pervis Estupinan

Premier League Fantasy players were ready to rake in the points after selecting the Brighton left-back in the droves ahead of matchday one against newly-promoted Luton Town.

Aside from the early caution, the Ecuadorian put in any characteristically accomplished performance, creating two big chances and registering an assist.

Brighton's first few games are relatively kind so don't be surprised to see the 25-year-old sticking around for a few more weeks.

8. Craig Dawson

The evergreen Craig Dawson continues to amaze. The 33-year-old enjoyed some of the best form of his career at West Ham before a move to a relegation-threatened Wolves in January signaled a transition into the twilight years of his career.

As it has turned out, Dawson has already more than repaid the £3.3m the West Midlands outfit shelled out for his services and he began his campaign with a terrific performance at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Wolves, under new manager Gary O'Neil, ended up feeling more than a little aggrieved by the conclusion of their 1-0 defeat to Manchester United having been so resolute in defence. Led on that front by Dawson who made five clearances and won all eight aerial duals he contested.

7. Rodri

Manchester City opened the Premier League season away to newly-promoted Burnley and cruised to a 3-0 victory against their former skipper Vincent Kompany.

Burnley had their moments, and for long spells looked more than capable of mixing it with most of the teams in the division. But whenever Kompany's side seriously threatened to get the baying Turf Moor crowd into the encounter, Rodri was on hand to bring his sense of calm.

The 27-year-old has in the last 18 months become the best defensive midfielder in the world and perhaps the most crucial cog in Pep Guardiola's system. Not just content with his defensive duties, he even helped himself to a goal and an assist on Friday night too.

6. Bernd Leno

Former Arsenal stopper Bernd Leno infrequently produces performances that make you wonder why the Gunners ever let him go. His display on Saturday was one such occasion.

The German, aided by some wayward Everton finishing, defended his goal expertly. He recorded a matchday one best nine saves as he kept a vital clean sheet in a 1-0 Fulham win at Goodison Park.

Leno also recorded a league best PSxG-GA (post shot expected goals minus goals against) of +3.3. Luton Town's Thomas Kaminski was in second place with +0.9.

5. Sandro Tonali

The second, and most impressive, debutant of the opening weekend, Sandri Tonali began the scoring onslaught for the Magpies on a perfect day in Tyneside.

The 23-year-old's stunning capture from boyhood club AC Milan was not supposed to yield such an instant result. Especially in the attacking phase, as he so wonderfully showed for his goal.

If he, and one of his team mates who is yet to feature on this list, can maintain even close to what they showed on Saturday evening then Newcastle's fourth-placed finish last term may easily be replicable.

4. Enzo Fernandez

Amidst all the noise of Liverpool and Chelsea's off-field tussle for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez stole the show.

Mauricio Pochettino's team didn't actually win the game on Sunday, despite their superiority and capture of Caicedo threatening to fool one into thinking they had also taken all three points. Still, for a first game under the new boss there were plenty of encouraging signs.

None more so than an unshackled Fernandez pulling the strings in a more advanced position than he played last term. Chelsea could upset a few pre-season predictions with a double pivot of Fernandez and Caicedo.

3. Bukayo Saka

The number of exceptionally talented players, who would still be eligible to play at  Under 21 level is truly staggering. Bukayo Saka incidentally managed just one outing at that level in 2020 before all involved quickly realised he'd be much better suited starting for the senior roster.

Such is the prodigious talent of Arsenal's right winger who picked up pretty much where he left off last season by scoring a magnificent curling effort to double the Gunners' lead in a 2-1 win over Nottingham Forest.

Having 83 touches and three key passes isn't too bad for a first day's work either.

2. Alexander Isak

This could be a big year for Alexander Isak. The rangy Swedish striker showed the combination of skill, pace and power that made him such a sought-after prospect.

After having his maiden season curtailed though injury, Newcastle are set to reap the rewards of his exceptional talents. Eddie Howe surprised a few at St James' Park by giving him the nod over Callum Wilson on Saturday.

In return, the 23-year-old delivered two perfectly taken goals in a thumping 5-1 win against a side many expected to rival them this season.

1. Erling Haaland

Erling Haaland goals and Manchester City wins now rank alongside death and taxes as life's great constants. With his two goals at Turf Moor, the 23-year-old took his Premier League tally to 38 goals in 36 appearances.

In truth, Friday night was a game like any other for the scoring sensation; next to anonymous for large periods of City possession before popping up to find the net.

That description does his second goal in particular a huge disservice. Haaland dispatched his effort into the top corner with all the confidence of a striker who averages 1.06 goals per game.